2019 Chevrolet Corvette C8

The mid-engined version of the Chevrolet Corvette is coming. Development on the C7's replacement has begun, and rumor has it a mid-engine variant is in the works. The C8 will be 'revolutionary.' To Corvette watchers that can only mean one thing: a mid-engine Chevy supercar. If true the C8 will be the most important fundamental change to the Chevrolet Corvette since GM dropped in an eight-cylinder engine in 1955.

The driving reason the Corvette would switch to a mid-engined layout is for performance. There is a limit to how much power a front-engine supercar can put down, and how much cornering grip it can achieve. Although the current Corvette Z06 is an awesome sports car, it's inherently held back by its front-mid-engine design.

After intense speculation, Autoblog and Car and Driver got their hands on spy photos of what's claimed to be the mid-engine Corvette prototype testing in Michigan. The photos show a heavily-camouflaged car but clearly rolling on some sort of a mid-engine chassis.

The mid-engine Corvette will use a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sourced from Tremec. Of its seven speeds, the top three are overdrives, and Tremec says it can handle 9000 rpm input speed and 664 lb-ft of torque. With a starting MSRP of just $55,400, the current C7 represents a great deal. Obviously, the mid-engined variant will cost more ... probably a lot more. $150,000 seems to be the most popular number.